Depending on how you define “production”, Kawasaki was the first motorcycle manufacturer to roll out a turbocharged motorcycle. But as this excellent article on OddBike points out, Kawasaki’s effort was more of a quasi-aftermarket creation, and it wasn’t well-thought out either. Honda’s CX500 Turbo is more deserving of the ‘first production turbo bike’ title, as it truly started the forced induction craze of the early 80s.
Hindsight has shown that turbos were not meant to be, as manufacturers were later able to get big power out motors without that pesky turbo lag. Plus, if you really want to buy a turbo Honda, the CX650 Turbo that was introduced a year after the CX500 is objectively a better bike. Still, as a piece of history, this is a fascinating motorcycle – the small cylinders required a tiny turbo with 51mm rotors that spun over 200,000 rpm.
It’s also got some of the lowest miles I’ve ever seen on a CX Turbo, with just 100. It’s offered on an antique title but the original MSO is included in the sale. The seller notes that he “took the bike into Dan Erb with Moto Restorations and he assisted in cleaning the injectors, fuel pump, fuel system etc, bike is now running perfectly no leaks no odd sounds, this bike is very original even down to the tires which are not safe to ride on.”
Find this CX500 Turbo for sale in Valley Center, Kansas for $11,500 here on Facebook Marketplace.